Sun Tzu and Machiavelli in Syria: Attacking Alliances

Abstract

For the past four years the United States has struggled to come to grips with the increasingly complex conflict in Syria. Much of this malaise is a result of strategic deficiency at the executive level. However, the problem goes far deeper than a transient administration. The real issue lies within our strategic culture and our inability to break from the standard Western Liberal Democratic naivet when operating at the political level in the international arena. In essence, we are our own worst enemy when it comes to strategic proficiency. We have the talent, and we have the guidance of past masters, but we lack the understanding and willingness to follow the wisdom of the past to inform our actions in the present.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Dec 01, 2015
Accession Number
AD1007496

Entities

People

  • Richard Rubright

Organizations

  • Joint Special Operations University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Defense
  • Air Force
  • Alliances
  • Arabia
  • Defense Systems
  • International Relations
  • Middle East
  • Military Science
  • Political Science
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Terrorism
  • Terrorists
  • Unconventional Warfare
  • United States
  • United States Government
  • United States Special Operations Command
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.
  • Political Violence and Terrorism Studies.